A good gift can sow the seed of a lifetime’s hobby
Gardeners are easy to please when it comes to Christmas. Happily, the kind of things which delight a gardener are unlikely to sell out. So if you still have one or two presents to buy I am going to make a few suggestions which would certainly please me and maybe will inspire you.
Close-fitting thermal gardening gloves are essential at this time of year and as they have a habit of wearing out, it’s good to have some replacements put by. A few packets of seeds slipped inside an envelope will always be appreciated. For first-time gardeners, it makes sense to choose from the easy-to-grow ranges of many suppliers. Children will enjoy planting large vegetable seeds such as peas and beans. Unless the recipient of your gift has a greenhouse, it’s best to look for flowers and vegetables that don’t need much warmth to start them off.
Gardening sustainably is important. Look out for seed packets with a bee-friendly logo on the front. Bees have had a hard time lately; with the prospect of a ban on neonicotinoid insecticides coming nearer, their fortunes should improve but they will still need food. So when it comes to choosing flower seeds I always go for single rather than double-flowered varieties as the pollen is more easily accessible to bees.
Most seasoned gardeners will already have a battery of tools. However, everyone can use some additional hand tools such as trowels, forks and secateurs. They have a nasty habit of getting mislaid and it’s good to know you have some spares. I find ones with coloured handles are less likely to go missing.
The news has been full of stories of the world’s oceans being littered with discarded plastic so I’m making a conscious effort to stop buying plastic pots and other plastic garden
I find tools with coloured handles are less likely to go missing
sundries. Most gardeners would welcome some clay pots. They are so attractive and have the added advantage of not being easily blown over in the wind. My professional gardener friend Louise recommends that they should be soaked for a day before planting up to make sure the compost you use doesn’t dry out too fast.
Newspaper pots for seedlings are fun to make with a wooden paper potter and could amuse some children over the holidays. Using paper pots also avoids disturbing seedlings’ roots when planting out; they biodegrade in the soil – and have the bonus of being free. n